HC Deb 22 October 1940 vol 365 cc938-9
Mr. Lees-Smith

May I ask the Lord Privy Seal whether he has any statement to make about future business of the House?

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Attlee)

After the Prolongation of Parliament Bill has been disposed of, the House will go into Secret Session in order to debate the Air Defences of the country.

Sir Irving Albery

Will an opportunity be provided, in the near future, for a general Debate on finance before the Chancellor of the Exchequer has completed the framework of his Budget?

Mr. Attlee

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to discuss that matter with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and see what possibilities there are.

Sir I. Albery

May I add that I did give notice of this Question to the Prime Minister?

Mr. Granville

In view of the fact that there is a good deal of interest and anxiety in the country in regard to the subject to be debated next Thursday, would it not be possible to issue to the Ministry of Information an account of the Debate in a summarised form?

Mr. Attlee

No, Sir, the rules governing Secret Sittings make that impossible, and they can hardly be suspended.

Sir H. Williams

Can the Lord Privy Seal say when the Air-Raid Insurance Bill is likely to be introduced?

Mr. Attlee

Not yet.

Mr. Simmonds

With regard to the Debate in Secret Session, will my right hon. Friend be good enough to bear in mind that it may be the desire to raise matters which will touch the War Office as well as the Air Ministry? Therefore, will he see that the War Office is continuously represented on the Front Bench?

Mr. Attlee

Yes, certainly, I will arrange that.

Mr. Thorne

In view of the importance of the Air-Raid Insurance Bill, and in view of the fact that numbers of people have lost their homes and are absolutely ruined, can it not be introduced very soon?

Mr. Attlee

It is a very difficult and complicated matter, and one must get it into form. It is not at all easy to draft.

Mr. Bellenger

While I understand that a Secret Session cannot, of course, be discussed anywhere but in this Chamber, nevertheless the subject is one of public importance, and, in view of the fact that if nothing is said outside, all sorts of questions may be raised in the public mind, some apprehensive and some not, is it not possible, under these circumstances, to do something to inform the public of what this House is discussing which is in their interest?

Mr. Attlee

No, Sir, a Secret Session has its advantages and disadvantages, and I am afraid it is not possible to get the best of both worlds.

Mr. Bellenger

Then does the Lord Privy Seal consider it absolutely necessary to hold this Debate in secret?

Mr. Attlee

Yes, certainly.

Mr. Thorne

Supposing a Member makes mental notes and divulges them outside, what is the penalty?